Bentley Medical Hub

I want to see Bentley become a hub for medical services and medical research in Perth.

To make this happen, I have been working on the following:

Gaining Federal Government funding for a new Curtin University Medical School

Supporting a plan for a Private Hospital at Curtin University as part of the Curtin Town Proposal

Running a local community campaign to keep maternity services at Bentley Hospital

Ensuring Bentley remains at the centre of a strong local health board

This is an ambitious plan for the area which I have been working with the relevant State and Federal Health Ministers and Curtin University to bring to fruition for the benefit of Swan and surrounding areas.

On 17 May 2015, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that the Federal Coalition Government would invest $20 million in a new Curtin University Medical School. This will address Western Australia’s doctor shortage of approximately 1,000 medical practitioners and the State’s over-reliance on overseas trained doctors.

The school has received support from many prominent people in the medical fraternity including Fiona Woods, Fiona Stanley and the former Director General of the WA Health Department Dr Neale Fong. As part of this agreement, the WA State Government has committed to providing new clinical training and supervision, internships and specialist training places for all students of the new school in addition to current placements. The Commonwealth will also contribute through the funding of new medical Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) for the school from 2019-20.

I have also had some success including working with local GPs to overturn a decision by the Gillard Government to split up our local health care district; as well as ensuring securing a review of the provision of maternity services at Bentley Hospital following a great response from the community to my local survey and campaign.

With the Coalition Government’s policy for a $20 billion medical research fund, there would be an exciting opportunity for Bentley to be at the cutting edge of a new medical research community in Australia.

As the Chair of the House of Representatives Health Committee I take a special interest in health issues locally and nationally and I am always keen to hear your views on this important area of policy.